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CLEAVERS
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(Galium
aparine)
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Other
Names
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Bedstraw, Coachweed,
Cleaverwort, Goose Grass, Gosling Weed,
Hedge-Burs, Love-Man,
Sweethearts.
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Description
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Cleavers is an annual plant
native to Canada, the eastern United States,
and Europe.
It thrives in moist areas and along
riverbanks.
Cleavers is a vigorous growing weed that
twists through hedges and shrubs producing a
long sticky stem.
The young shoots are some of the first
weeds to appear in the
spring.
It grows 2 to 6 feet tall, producing
clusters of small white or greenish-white
flowers that bloom from May through September,
followed by the bristly
fruit.
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Classification
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Cold
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Taste
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Salty
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Balance
Yin/Yang
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Slightly
Dry
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Humor
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Fire
ê
Water
ê
Air
é
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Uses/Applications
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Cleavers is mainly used
externally for skin problems, wounds, and
sores.
It is also used for stomach problems,
intestinal catarrh, and irritations of the
mucous membranes including the urinary
tract.
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Leaves
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Crushed
fresh leaves is good for skin
problem.
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Compress
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Soak a
pad in the infusion and use for burns, grazes,
ulcers, and skin
irritations.
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Cream
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Use
regularly to relieve
psoriasis.
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Hair
Rinse
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Use the
infusion for dandruff or scaling scalp
problems.
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Infusion
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The tea
is used for stomach problems, and mucous
membrane problems.
Also taken as a cooling drink for
fevers.
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Juice
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The
juice is an effective diuretic or lymphatic
cleanser for a range of conditions including
glandular fever, tonsillitis, and prostate
disorders.
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Tincture
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Used
for stomach problems, and mucous membrane
problems.
Also taken as a cooling drink for
fevers.
It can be combined with lymphatic and
detoxifying herbs such as dried poke
root.
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Combinations
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For the
lymphatic system combine with Echinacea or
Calendula.
For skin conditions combine with Cleavers
or Yarrow. .
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Constituents
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Unknown.
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Action
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Anti-Spasmodic, Diaphoretic,
Diuretic, Vulnerary,
Diuretic.
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Food
Values
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None
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Part
Used
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Aerial
Parts.
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Collection
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Cleavers grow
wild.
Harvest in the spring or
fall.
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Preparation
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Use the
juice of the fresh plant or dry immediately for
later use.
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Decoction
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Steep
25 gr. of dried herb in 1/2 liter warm water
for 2 hours.
Take 2 - 8 Tbsp. three times per
day.
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Infusion
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Pour a
cup of boiling water onto 2 Tsp.
herb.
Infuse 10 minutes. Take three times per
day.
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Tincture
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Take
20-30 drops in water as
required.
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Growing
Directions
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Grows
wild.
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History
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Throughout the centuries
Cleavers has been a popular herb in folk
medicine.
The young shoots make an excellent tonic,
a remedy widely used in central
Europe.
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Additional
Information
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1.
Best used fresh as a potent diuretic and
lymphatic cleanser, effective in reducing
swollen
or enlarged lymph
glands.
2.
Cleavers is known as a blood
purifier,
used for skin problems and other
conditions where the body is failing to rid
itself of toxins.
3.
They can also be cooked as a vegetable,
by gently sweating in the pan like
spinach.
4.
Research has shown that Cleavers are a
very valuable plant and they may be the best
tonic available for the lymphatic
system.
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Cautions
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None
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Magick
Information
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Gender:
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Feminine
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Planet:
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Venus
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Element:
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Water
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Deity:
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None
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Powers:
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Love
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Magickal
Uses:
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To attract love carry Cleavers on your
person.
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